Half Girlfriend lands itself in a ‘musical’ controversy

Bollywood Hungama News Network

ByBollywood Hungama News Network

Apr 21, 2017 - 9:56 am IST

While the music of Half Girlfriend is touted to be one of the key strengths of the Arjun Kapoor and Shraddha Kapoor love story, it is also landing itself in a controversy. It all started with a print article though and lyricist Manoj Muntashir realized that he hadn’t been credited for the same, he expressed his displeasure publicly. Soon enough, he was also joined by composer Amaal Malik who chose to call a spade a spade. This was for the one of the highlight songs of the Mohit Suri directed film, ‘Main Phir Bhi Tumko Chahunga’, where composer Mithoon and singer Arijit Singh were acknowledged but Manoj was left out.

“Yes, the article plain and simple called out ‘Main Phir Bhi Tumko Chahunga’ as ‘the soulful number composed by Mithoon and sung by Arijit Singh’. Manoj didn’t find even a mention, which is weird because it is his words which have actually been put to tune and then rendered. What is even more surprising is that even Shraddha Kapoor is quoted as saying – ‘Mithoon and Arijit have created a masterpiece’. She too has chosen to ignore the lyricist here,” says an insider.

No wonder, Manoj was hurt and he pronto took to the social media. He said, “Today when it has become a sensation, everyone seems to be getting credit except the man who actually conceived it. It’s too heart breaking when your voice fails to reach out to people in power.”

He went on to add, “All I want is my due credit. My recognition for chopping a piece of my heart and turning it into a song. Every day there are uncountable articles citing Mithoon and Arijit Singh as the creators of the masterpiece. Both are my dearest friends, but this insane act by the people who decide who is important for the publicity and who is not, is simply insensitive.”

Composer Amaal Malik, who has put together countless songs with Manoj, added his bit as well. While lending his support on the post, he reaffirmed his support and further acknowledged that he wouldn’t have been a successful composer without his writers Manoj Muntashir, Rashmi Virag and Kumaar. He also re-emphasized on the fact that no song ever becomes a hit just on the melody since the lyrics say a story and this is something that shouldn’t be manipulated by anyone.

Sensing the fact that there could well be a controversy that may eventually brew out of it, he went on to add, “Now before everyone makes another effort to misconstrue my words, all I am saying is that ‘Phir Bhi Tumko Chahunga’ is a blockbuster of a song because of three important people – Mithoon, Manoj Muntashir and Arijit Singh and without even one, the song wouldn’t be what it is! This information has to be sent by the producers and it’s clearly been sent without the writer’s name. Sad.”

With the lyricist and those from the fraternity clearly calling out their disappointment loud, it has to be seen how do the makers of Half Girlfriend react now.